Mohammed Shami is set to announce his retirement from international cricket soon after being completely fit and showing excellent form with the ball across all formats in domestic cricket, despite being repeatedly ignored for India selection.
The Indian fast bowler has been dropped from both the India and India A squads for the upcoming series against South Africa.
He was last seen in action during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His last Test appearance was the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia.
The selectors have decided on the fate of Mohammed Shami by ruling him out of the South Africa Test.
Shami played a key role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win in March, but his performance in IPL 2025 has not been good and the selectors seem to be leaning towards young fast bowling options.
Furthermore, the Bengal fast bowler’s earlier fitness problems have led to him being dropped from the Indian cricket team in all formats.
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However, Shami’s omission is surprising considering his recent stellar performances in domestic cricket. He is unbeaten in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
The senior fast bowler has scalped 15 wickets in just three matches so far, including a brilliant five-wicket haul against Gujarat.
His performance shows that he is still a major threat in red-ball cricket. Yet, Shami was overlooked not only for the senior Test team but also for the India A team that will take on South Africa A in a three-match ODI series. Earlier, he was also ignored for the tours of England and Australia.
Mohammed Shami ready to say goodbye to international cricket
Well, India’s pace attack for the upcoming Test series against South Africa will now be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Bengal fast bowler Akash Deep has also made a comeback after recovering from a shoulder injury. Mohammed Shami’s continued omission was a clear indication of a possible change in India’s Test bowling lineup.
After the announcement of India’s Test team, rumors of Mohammed Shami’s retirement from international cricket intensified. As claimed by Aaj Tak journalists, Shami may soon take time out for his inspirational journey. It is almost certain that the Indian selectors have sealed Shami’s fate.
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With the latest humiliation, the senior Indian fast bowler’s career is now over. Like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Bengal pacer is unlikely to get a farewell match with India.
Mohammed Shami is considered one of the best fast bowlers in India and despite battling injuries, he has given his all for Indian cricket. And fans felt that he definitely didn’t deserve such an ending.
It seems that one of the best players of Indian cricket ever, Mohammed Shami, has come to an end.
Among Indian bowlers who have played more than 20 Test matches, only Bumrah (42.7) has a better strike rate than Shami (50.2).
Remember, Shami also played good cricket…
– Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) 5 November 2025
Mohammed Shami has been a legend in his own right, a great soldier of Indian cricket. don’t deserve this kind of ending pic.twitter.com/vqP7Ua8TzZ
– Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) 5 November 2025
Mohammed Shami’s coach criticizes Indian selectors for using T20 metrics to pick Test team
Meanwhile, Shami’s coach Mohammed Badruddin criticized the Indian selectors for using T20 metrics for Test selection. Sports Tak quoted Badruddin as saying:
“I think they have made up their mind that they will not pick him right now and I think that is completely wrong. When you pick the Test team, it should be based on Ranji Trophy performance.”
He further added, “If you are selecting for Tests using T20 metrics, it is not right. You should look at who is performing well in Ranji and select from there. But here, it seems the decisions are already decided – they already know which players they want, and they just stick to that list.
“So, all this talk about performances or fitness is just an excuse. To say ‘he is unfit’ or ‘needs match practice’ – that is not true. They already have a plan as to who they want to play and who they don’t.”
